Australian cricketer Steve Smith has declared his excitement for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series between India and Australia, later this year.
The two teams will play a five-match Test series, starting in November 2024 and stretching up to the first week of January 2025.
Smith, who is regarded as one of the greatest Test batsmen of all-time, having made his debut close to 14 years ago, has now been a part of several series triumphs including Ashes victories and lately, the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in 2023.
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However, Australia have been denied a victory in the BGT series for a decade, with the last victory against India in a Test series coming way back in 2014.
MORE: Australia are hungry to win back the Border-Gavaskar trophy from India, says Nathan Lyon
What did Steve Smith say about his retirement plans ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series against India?
Steve Smith revealed that he does not have any plans about retiring from cricket, unlike his fellow teammate David Warner, who had announced called an end to his international career earlier this year.
Moreover, he added that he is excited for the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, later in November, this year.
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"I don't have any plans [about retirement]," Smith said.
"I'm just enjoying playing at the moment, I'm pretty relaxed and looking forward to this summer. India's going to be a great challenge, they are a very good side, think we are probably the two best Test teams in the world going head-to-head over five Tests. I'm excited by that."
India and Australia, who were the finalists of the last edition of the WTC Final in 2023, are currently first and second, respectively, in the WTC points table standings, and are favourites to meet each other again during the Final in 2025.
MORE: WTC 2025 final: Qualification scenarios, points and wins required
Will Steve Smith bat at Number 4 or open the batting for Australia in Tests?
Questioned about his preference in the batting order for the upcoming Tests, Smith said that he has not yet decided on it but is happy to bat in any position.
"The conversations I've had so far is that we'll go to England. I'm there for the one-dayers then make a decision after that. There are conversations happening in the background. Guys like Usman [Khawaja] has said he likes me down at No. 4, think Marnus is of a similar thought pattern. We'll wait and see. I'm happy to bat anywhere."
Smith, who had opened the batting for Australia in the series against West Indies in January 2024, following David Warner's Test retirement, did not perform as well in that position, as he failed with the bat in the next series against New Zealand.
Earlier, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had suggested that while he thinks that opening is not an ideal position for Smith, that it is up to the player to decide which is his ideal spot in the batting order.
MORE: Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Will Steve Smith open for Australia against India or will he play No.4? [Stats & quotes]
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